The Coast Guard 17th District command center in Juneau received a request for the medevac from the crew of the drillship at about 4 a.m. The crew reported the man was suffering from an irregular heartbeat but was stable.

The Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was consulted and concurred with the need for the medevac. The Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, attached to the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley which was anchored off Nome, was dispatched from Nome at about 7:52 a.m. They arrived on scene about 30 minutes later, landed on the helipad and embarked the patient. He was delivered to Nome where a LifeMed air ambulance was waiting. The patient was transported to a hospital in Anchorage.

The Noble Discoverer is a 514-foot drillship from Seattle under contract to Shell.

As part of Arctic Shield, the Coast Guard has a forward operating location in Barrow with two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and Coast Guard cutters, including a National Security Cutter with and embarked MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, patrolling in the region and ready to respond to any maritime emergencies.

For more information about Arctic Shield, please visit our web site at www.uscg.mil/d17 and click on Arctic Shield.

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Media Contacts

If you are a member of the media or have questions about the Coast Guard, please contact the nearest public affairs office in your area. If you are interested in employment with the Coast Guard, please visit www.GoCoastGuard.com for more information.